(1)The Secretary shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities approved under this section to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services described in subsection (b) for very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing.

(2)Financial assistance under this section shall consist of grants for each such family for which an approved eligible entity is providing or coordinating the provision of supportive services.

(3)

(A)The Secretary shall provide such grants to each eligible entity that is providing or coordinating the provision of supportive services.

(B)The Secretary is authorized to establish intervals of payment for the administration of such grants and establish a maximum amount to be awarded, in accordance with the services being provided and their duration.

(4)In providing financial assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give preference to entities providing or coordinating the provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families who are transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.

(5)The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, financial assistance under this subsection is equitably distributed across geographic regions, including rural communities and tribal lands.

(6)Each entity receiving financial assistance under this section to provide supportive services to a very low-income veteran family shall notify that family that such services are being paid for, in whole or in part, by the Department.

(7)The Secretary may require entities receiving financial assistance under this section to submit a report to the Secretary that describes the projects carried out with such financial assistance.

(b) Supportive Services.— The supportive services referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

(1)Services provided by an eligible entity or a subcontractor of an eligible entity that address the needs of very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing, including—

(A)outreach services;

(B)case management services;

(C)assistance in obtaining any benefits from the Department which the veteran may be eligible to receive, including, but not limited to, vocational and rehabilitation counseling, employment and training service, educational assistance, and health care services; and

(D)assistance in obtaining and coordinating the provision of other public benefits provided in federal,[1] State, or local agencies, or any organization defined in subsection (f), including—

(i)health care services (including obtaining health insurance);

(ii)daily living services;

(iii)personal financial planning;

(iv)transportation services;

(v)income support services;

(vi)fiduciary and representative payee services;

(vii)legal services to assist the veteran family with issues that interfere with the family’s ability to obtain or retain housing or supportive services;

(viii)child care;

(ix)housing counseling; and

(x)other services necessary for maintaining independent living.

(2)Services described in paragraph (1) that are delivered to very low-income veteran families who are homeless and who are scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within 90 days pending the location or development of housing suitable for permanent housing.

(3)Services described in paragraph (1) for very low-income veteran families who have voluntarily chosen to seek other housing after a period of tenancy in permanent housing, that are provided, for a period of 90 days after such families exit permanent housing or until such families commence receipt of other housing services adequate to meet their current needs, but only to the extent that services under this paragraph are designed to support such families in their choice to transition into housing that is responsive to their individual needs and preferences.

(c) Application for Financial Assistance.—

(1)An eligible entity seeking financial assistance under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor in such form, in such manner, and containing such commitments and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.

(A)Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the term “very low-income veteran family” means a veteran family whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for an area specified by the Secretary for purposes of this section, as determined by the Secretary in accordance with this paragraph.

(B)The Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments to the income requirement under subparagraph (A) based on family size.

(C)The Secretary may establish an income ceiling higher or lower than 50 percent of the median income for an area if the Secretary determines that such variations are necessary because the area has unusually high or low construction costs, fair market rents (as determined under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f)), or family incomes.

(7)The term “veteran family” includes a veteran who is a single person and a family in which the head of household or the spouse of the head of household is a veteran.

Pub. L. 112–37, § 12,Oct. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 397, which directed amendment of “section
2044” without specifying the Code title to be amended, was executed to this section, which is section
2044 of Title
38, Veterans’ Benefits, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2011 Amendment notes below.

Amendments

2013—Subsec. (e)(1)(E). Pub. L. 113–37substituted “for each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014” for “for fiscal year 2013”.